Event creates understanding of Muslims

By Starr T. Balmer
Daily Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer

Hundreds of Muslims attended the "Muslims in America: Muslim Family Development" conference at the Student Union Saturday to learn how to solve various problems and to discuss important issues occurring in Muslim communities.

The conference consisted of various seminars and workshops discussing family involvement, civil rights and educational issues of Muslims.

Muslims in America Association (MINAA) created the conference, hoping to inform Muslims and non-Muslims about what they can do to change the world's view of them and to relieve them of fear and anxiety caused by September 11.

Hamad Albadr, international student and president of Muslims in America Association said, "We hope to bring people back to normal because people are living in fear."

Guest speakers spoke at the conference to also advise them about how various cities handle hate crimes.

They enlightened Muslims of why hate crimes occur and informed them of what they can do when experiencing those problems in Muslim communities.

Deputy District Attorney Paul Chrisopoulos during his speech at the conference said, "Hate crimes happen because of lack of knowledge, lack of education." He has seen many hate crime cases as his primary responsibility is to handle prosecutions of hate crimes for Orange County.

The conference allowed Muslims to face the negatives perspectives presented about them and to educate those who discriminate against Muslims.

They learned how to adapt to society and attempt to live normal lives while practicing their religious beliefs and coping with continual discrimination.

"We are not trouble makers. We are peacemakers," Albadr said. "We are children of God."

Muslims wanted society to know that all of them are not terrorists and that they are good people who deserve to be respected and appreciated.